The Los Angeles Chargers have been in front of a national TV audience twice in two weeks.
Their closeups have gone well.
In Brazil, the Chargers got an early signature win in Week 1 by beating the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the AFC West nine years in a row. Week 2 was tricky. Back from São Paulo, the Chargers had to travel again to face a Las Vegas Raiders team that also won its opener and looked much improved from last season.
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The Chargers passed the test and did so easily Monday night. Their defense did a good job limiting the Raiders and intercepted quarterback Geno Smith three times. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert played well again. The Chargers have two divisional wins to start the season after beating the Raiders, 20-9.
That kind of start was important if the Chargers want to finally knock the Chiefs off their pedestal in the division. It’s early, but they have a two-game lead on the Chiefs now.
Raiders fall behind early
The night started in an ominous way for the Raiders. Chargers safety Alohi Gilman broke on a Smith throw, deflected it and linebacker Daiyan Henley made a nice catch as he trailed the play.
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Smith, who played very well in Week 1, had too many risky throws in the first half. Two were intercepted, including one late in the half after the Chargers had taken an 11-point lead.
Herbert completely outplayed Smith. His 60-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnston late in the second quarter was a beautiful deep throw. Herbert was fantastic in a Week 1 win over the Chiefs, and he continued that right into Week 2.
The Raiders weren’t getting much from tight end Brock Bowers, who was playing through a knee injury, and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who was being oddly underutilized and had just 30 yards in the first half. Combine that with Smith pressing on too many throws, and the Raiders were in trouble early.
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Chargers D has a strong night
The Raiders looked good on offense in Week 1, with Smith having nine completions of 20 yards or more. Even without Khalil Mack for most of the game, after he exited with an elbow injury, the Chargers did a fine job shutting Las Vegas down.
The Raiders still had hope in the fourth quarter when they drove to the Chargers’ 15-yard line with a little more than six minutes left, trailing 20-9. Then Jeanty lost 5 yards on a catch, and Smith threw his third interception as he tried to force a pass into the end zone. Safety Derwin James Jr. tipped it and Donte Jackson picked it off. That essentially ended the Raiders’ chances to win.
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The start to the season couldn’t have gone much better for the Chargers, though the Mack injury is worrisome. Herbert looks even better than last season, when he took a big step with Jim Harbaugh as his head coach. The Chargers have multiple weapons producing on offense. Their defense had a stellar night Monday. The Chargers will be even better if they can get a run game going, which has been a rare weakness early this season.
The Chargers are 2-0 to start the season.
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